SYDNEY: Australia’s right-arm pacer Scott Boland took four wickets to dismantle India’s batting lineup on the opening day of the final Test here at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) here on Friday.
In-form pacer Jasprit Bumrah, who replaced under-fire Rohit Sharma as the captain for the aforementioned fixture, won the toss and chose to bat first.
His decision, however, backfired as India’s batting unit unfolded on a meagre 185 despite Rishabh Pant’s grit in the middle.
The touring side had a shaky start to their innings as they lost both their openers KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal inside eight overs with just 17 runs on the board.
Right-handed batter Shubman Gill, who came in as Sharma’s replacement, then forged a 40-run partnership with star batter Virat Kohli, before both perished in quick succession, resulting in India slipping to 72/4.
Gill scored 20 off 64 deliveries, while Kohli made a 69-ball 17.
India’s best partnership of the first innings came for the fifth wicket when Pant and Ravindra Jadeja added 48 runs to their total.
Pant, who was the core aggressor of the stand, was also the first one to be dismissed as he was outfoxed by a Boland’s bouncer.
The left-handed batter remained the top-scorer for India with a 98-ball 40, comprised of three fours and a six.
His dismissal sparked a match-defining collapse as the visitors lost their remaining five wickets for just 65 runs.
Besides Pant, Jadeja (26) and stand-in captain Bumrah (23) were the other notable run-getters for the touring side.
Scott Boland spearheaded Australia’s bowling attack with four wickets, followed by Mitchell Starc with three, while Pat Cummins struck twice.
In response, Australia could amass nine runs for the loss of one wicket when the stumps were drawn.
Left-handed opener Usman Khawaja (two) was the sole Australian batter to be dismissed as he was caught in the slip cordon off momentum-filled Bumrah on the eventual last delivery of the eventful day.
Young opener Sam Konstas, unbeaten on seven, will resume Australia’s innings with Marnus Labuschagne as the hosts trail by 176 runs.
